Hata no Kawakatsu

Hata no Kawakatsu (秦河勝) is a legendary figure in Japanese folklore, believed to have introduced ritual Shinto dances to Japan in the sixth century. He is also regarded as the progenitor of a hereditary line that includes many of Noh's greatest playwrights and actors, such as Hata no Ujiyasu, Zeami, and Komparu Mitsutarō. According to legend, Hata no Kawakatsu performed 66 plays and created 66 masks for these performances during the time of Prince Shōtoku. These performances were known as Kagura, from which Sarugaku, a precursor to Noh, later derived. In the Touhou Project, Hata no Kawakatsu is closely linked to the Menreiki, Hata no Kokoro, who is considered to be the youkai incarnation of the masks used by Hata no Kawakatsu. Kokoro possesses 66 masks, each representing an emotion, and can alter her emotions by wearing these masks. The stories and image of Hata no Kawakatsu are cleverly integrated and recreated in the Touhou Project, making him an integral part of the series.